Tire-building apparatus



Feb. 21, 1928.

F. G. NEAL TIRE BUILDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 02%

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 21, 1928."

F. G. NEAL THE BUILDING APPARATUS IIHIIIIIIIH I INVENTOR. BY V M %fiz/ 5 .3

A RNEY.

Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN e. NEAL, or SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR To THE FISK Bun. BER COMPANY, or CHICOPEE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAS SACHUSETTS.

TIRE-BUILDING ArrAnA'rus.

Application filed February 19; 1924. Serial No. 693.937.

The invention herein disclosed is a Species of the generic invention disclosed in mvco-- pending application Serial No. 597,260, filed October 27. 1922. In the prosecution ofthe latter case, division between different species of the invention was required, and the present case is such division. This inven-. tion, however, is intended to be sufficiently disclosed to stand alone or as a continuation .1 in part of the parent case with respect to build the tire casing on a former or man drel by stretching endless bands of laminated rubberized cords arranged on the bias with the bias angles in different plies reversed to give strength in different directions. The cords thus arranged are herein called fabric and this term is used in its general as well as specific sense. The cords are the strain-resisting members of the tire and when rubberized in the making steps are held in sheet form as if laid in a matrix sheet of unvulcanized rubber. Such sheets are laminated and built into multi-ply bands which are stretched to a substantial degree when applied to the tire mandrel and then shaped on the mandrel to tire form.

My invention is directed to an apparatus or device for quickly stretching the multiply bands and conditioning them in an improved manner for their application to the tire mandrel during the tire building opera: tions. Themeans by which this purpose is accomplished is characterized by its convenient mode of operation as well as by the fact that a proper operation of stretching the tire building band is insured. Its automatic features areimportantin taking awa from the decision of thepersonal tire buil er the character of'stretch to be given to the band.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view with a part broken away, of a four-ply cord fabric band adapted to be stretched, by the apparatus of the invention, shortly before it is applied to a tire mandrel in the building operation.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, Somewhat'diagrammatic, illustrating the band of Fig. 1

as stretched from one conditionto-another,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the tire mandrel after the .four-plyband of Fig. 1

has been stretched and applied thereto, but before any stitching or rolling down operationshave been done on it.

Fig. i -is aperspective view of a well known type of tire building stand in common use, and uponwhich the hands after being stretched can be built into a tire.

F ig. 5 is a rear view of the stretcher fo the tire buildin band.

a Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the stretcher with parts shown in section and parts broken away to Show certain details ofconstruction.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the air valve operating means.

i Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of the air valve in position corresponding to the position of the'parts shown in Fig. 7.

Figs. 9 and 10 correspond to Figs. 7 and 8 but with the parts in a differeut position.

Figs. 11 and 12 correspond to Figs. 7 and 8 but with the parts in a still different position.

Fig. 13 is a slight modification of the air valve operating means whereby the valve ports are automatically turned from the position of Fig.8 to that of Fig. 12.

Before describing the stretcher mechanism, I Shall refer briefly to the tire buildmg operation which gives the environment under which the mechanism works.

The band 100 is stretched from the condition ofFig. 1 to that of Fig. 2. The oper ator can then readily take the band off the stretcher, apply it over the crown of the core or mandrel 1, and roll the loose skirts in place with a hand roller, or machine rollers may be used if desired. The band will not shrink a substantial amount during theshort time interval required for the transfer from the stretcher to the mandrel. And yet the band has retained its elasticity due to the quick acting nature of my mechanism which Stretches itfast enough to prevent its setting in stretched condition. The degree of Stretch given the band may, and preferably is, from the unstretched tire bead circumference to the tire crown or mandrel circumference. After application to the mandrel the bandcontinues to shrink until it automatically takes the position shown in Fig. 3. The operator continues to apply the endless bands as stretched to the core 1 on building stand2, building the complete carcass with the beads therein on. the latter in any suitable manner.

The stretcher mechanism has for its purpose thereiore, the work of stretching the innlti-ply band for its proper application to the tire building form, whatever that specific form may be.

5 to 13 disclose the particular modification of the invention i'ormingthe basis for the claims herein. This modification in many-respects is quite dilterent from the modifications claimed specifically in; the pan; ent application. Reterringto Figs. ,5 and 6, a rigid vertical support 50 is arranged to carry a yoke 59 fixed against movement on thesupport EO and a yoke 60 arrangedto move vertically inv suitable ways 61 provided by the inturned metal straps 'ZO -onetastened to each side of the support 50 and with an iii-turned end spaeed from and parallel torjthe front face or" the support 5O to, receive. outwardl gtu gned flanges. 69. of the-yoke. 60,. whereby the latter is supported ai1d;.-guided for the desired movement.

A positively driven roller is mounted in; the yoke. 59 and is driven from the motor by means of the gearconneetions 1 shown, The yoke 60 is supported on a piston rod. 65 extending from the .cylinder 64 suitsupportedon the yoke 59 between it and. yoke 60. The upperendoi thiscylinden is further: supported against movement by a bracket 63 extending out from the front face of the support 50.. The yoke 60 turthe supports, as indicated, the roller 57 which; in this instance is an idler. The pipe. 66' leading from a source 013' fluid: pressureairy-for eXainple-terminates inthe cylinder 6% under the piston ot the rod (35, it three way valve,6T (Fig. 8) i n pipe66 when turned to, the positi of; that ii u:e, ;.will admit 3 air under pre re, 1 to. ,raise the pistonand thus its rod 65 in thecylinder tl lthus to raise the yoke 60 and its roller 57,.

Vllhenthevalve is turned to the position of Figthe yoke. will be yieldingly held at thedesired elevated position. When. the valve is moved to theposition of Fig. 12, theai withincylinder 64; is exhaustedas shown and the yoke .60 with itssupporting piston rod 65 is automatically lowered by the weight; ot the parts so as to return to its original position.

Valve 67 is turned to its various positions by the handle it which has an extension beyond the walve as indicated in Fig. 11. I To this, extension istastened a. connectingrod 68wvhich in turn is l astenedto, one end of a suitably pivoted switch 5. When the piv otedswitch s is brought into. contact with the terminal 0 the circuit to motor 00 is closed to. draw. .upon the power whereby roll 58, is turned.

twill be seenfromFigY that as the valve 67 is turned to apply power to raise yoke 60, the switch 8 is thereby brought into contact w th the termlnal a so. as to. start the motor which rotates r ller 58 but only while valve 67 is in position for raising the yoke 60. 'A vertically adjustable horizontal bar 1 1 ll or metal, carried by the yoke (30, extends across the 51th? tace of the support 50*,and has a direct metallic contact (or connection by a metal spring); with the metal strap 7 0 as the yoke (50 is raised and lowered. The metal strap 70 is conveniently proyided with a scale as indicated, sothat-the operator nay very readily determinethe scope of the operations, Thisinetallic bar 71 is. inline. with an extension otthe switch sand since the bar. 71, is: adjustable it will be readily seen. thatit canopen switch 8 (asindicated in. Fig-9),to, stop the motor a: and through the connection of the switch ,with -h andle i turn the valyeGTto thereby stop the elevating operation oi the piston 65,; In; thisoporation the valvev t3? turnslronr thepojsitioir shown in '8 to thatrshown inl fig. 10'. In addition the bar 71 atthe time, it opens switch 5 contacts with terminal d joij a circuit including the belll) andthemetal strap YO This circuit with thebell in it causes. a signal to be given indicating that the yoketiO hasbeen elevated to the desired degree determined. by theadj'ustment ot the bar 71 carried by the yoke (it),

It isapparent thatthe automatic operation of thevalve. 67 trom the position shownin Fig. 8 -to..that show.n in Fig lQ may be extended so as to move the valve instead to the position shown in Fig. 12;. If theopera-tor is ready in each; instance to takethe band off the stretcher and apply -it.to the mandrelin a. reasonahletime, the automatic operatioirofthe valve from; i ts=two. extreme.

positions may be desirable. On the other hanth it may be desirable-to hold the band stretch-ednntil it is removed from the ap paratns which is accomplished. when. the} valve is injtlraposition of Fig'. 10, From. this positionthe operator mayturn the valve to the osition ofiFig. 125 by: hand, which should: e donebeiore the bandhas liadtimeto set in its stretched condition. and thereby.

lose. itspower to shrinkon-the form as; de-. sired. The signalbell; isaid. to. this feature. The particular mode of operation depends upon conditions. The means; of .ob taining either one or the other mode otoporation is apparent. Fonexa nple. the ports may be changed-in Fig. 10 so thatthisfig. me would then show the exhausting position ofthe valve. instead otFig. .12. I' have shown other means in; Fig, 13, whereby a tension ,spring 7 5 with oneendat any fixed point- 7'6, pullsalong the lineof the valve axis. in the position of Fig, 7 but turnsthe valve 90 as soon as switch 8 is movedso that the spring pull is from point 76 to point 77 on a line below the valve axis.

provided tolimit the valve movematically lowered to their original position shown in Fig. 6. y

The drawings indicate the diameter of the rollers 57 and 58, the thicknessof theyokes supportingthe rollers, andthe dimensions and location of the air cylinderywith respect to the band or pocket to be stretchedon the rollers. It will be noted that the stretching devices, in this case the rollers, engage a very small portion of the band relatively to its length and therefore they do not appreciably retard the transverse shrinkage of the band as itis stretched. And the shifting of the band on the rollers of such small size acts to distribute the stretching forces in an ideal way. The front part of the appara tus presents an open arrangement permitting theband'to be telescoped onto the two roll- Lil ers. The rollers suspend the band with entire freedom between them, for the yokes and the cylinder between the yokes are small enough to avoid any contact whatever with the band, unless the operator presses the band inwardly by hand while it is being stretched. Thepresence of the yokes 59 and 60 in addition to the cylinder 64 and its piston between the vertical flights of the band while it is being stretched, is an advantage. The operator will not be tempted to belly in the band being stretched, by pressing his hands against the sides, because then the band will contact with cylinder 64, and this the operator knows is undesirable. Furthermore the vertical arrangement of the stretcher saves floor space, makes for the most convenient positioning of the apparatus for the builder, but most important holds the band suspended before, during. and after, the stretching operations so that the material which is sticky will not come in contact at the different portions.

The operation of this device is as follows:

An unstretched band is placed over rollers 57 and 58. The valve handle h is then turned to the position of Fig. 8 to admit air to the cylinder 64 and at same time close the circuit to motor 00, whereby roller 58 is driven rapidly enough to move the band 100 over each of the rollers 57 and 58, whereby the lines of contact with the rollers are constantly changed. At the same time, the yoke 60 is being steadily elevated at a desired speed determined by the design of the arts and the air pressure used. When the hand has been stretched by this action to the desired degree indicated in the adjustment of the bar 71 on yoke 60, the switch 8 is automaticallyopened, the valve handle it is automatically turned to the position of 9 or Fig. 11 to stop the elevating operation, the partsautomatically returnto their original position if the arrangement ofFig. 13 is used, thebell b signals that the band has been stretched, and the operator, who maybe doing other work for the short in terval of time required for the stretching operation, takes the band and a plies it to his "building form. The speci c arrange mentshown in Fig. 13 was not disclosediin Y the aforesaidparent application, but the au-.

toinat-ic features with their essential charac-l teristics are therein described.

y The advantage of this apparatus, in addition to its automatic and power operated feautres, is found in the fact thatthe band 100 has even less contact with the rollers (since there are only two of them) than it haswhen stretched on the four rollers found in the other modifications of the invention shown in the parent application previously referred to. But in the present embodiment,

as in the other modifications, asthe bandis suspended between the .rollers, it is preferably kept ilat in cross-section during the op, eration and the points .of contact with the rollers are kept changing before the rollers have an opportunity to retard the shrinking action in the width of the pocket as it is being longitudinally stretched. It is thus seen that the work desired is performed. in many respects similarly to the way in which the work done by said other modifications. The stretcher apparatus is quick acting, by which I mean that thehband is stretched and may be released before the unvulcanized rubber sets and loses its elasticity, whereby the o eration of shrinking the band on the tire ormer as indicated in Fig. 3 would not be helped. In addition the advantageous effects desired by the construction of the apparatus in all modifications on account of the small amount and character of contact between the stretching rollers and the bandas it is being stretched, is to some degree increased by the construction shown in the modification of this case.

It will be clear to anyone skilled in the art that various other modifications embodying some or all of the new and useful improvements can be constructed specifically unlike those shown. For example, when I say that the band is preferably kept flat in cross-section during the stretching operation I refer to what I consider the best position for the work, but, I do not intend to exclude a reasonable degree of curvature such as may be obtainedby crowning rolls 57 and 58. The desirable thing which I want to emphasize is that the edge portions as well as the central portion of the band are sub stantially stretched in the operation of the device. This effect can still be attained even though rolls 57 and 58 are crowned to a noticeable extentQ loo The invention. is; particularly pointed; outI andclaimed. as follows;

hat I claim is I 1. Amachinei'lor stretching an elasticicare cass: band in sendless form for tire building, comprisinga stretching-framehaving two. relatively spaced band engaging v rollers. mounted inithe frame andfree-to receive a bandiedgewise and hold it suspended out of frictionalfcontact with the machine, andE quiclnacting power: applying means operableindependently of the bands resistance to: move one oi saidrollerszt'ar enoughgfromethe other for stretching the band to a tire tread length betore the bandhas time to. setiand; While tlrebandais tree-toimove over the rollers. v 2; Aniachiineitor stretchingan elastic carcass bandin. endless form for tire building-, comprising .a stretchingg frame having two band engaging rollers, onenno untied over the other: in the frame and: mounted so as to permit the quick, telescopic application and irenioval of the band-i; quiche-acting ,meaaisq-tomove one of said rollers, away {IOHM and to: ward-the other-to avoid the loss ofielasticity in the stretching, and releasingoperations; said rollersbeing positioned in the frame-so as to hold: the band outot allcont-act with the frame except the contact with thorollers.

A machineifor stretching an elastic carcass band in endless form for vtire building, comprising a stretching; frame having two ban-d1 engaging rollers, one. mounted: over the other in theflrameand mounted so; asto per- Init the .quick, telescopic, application and re.-

moval of? theuband;- quicloacting means, to move one of said rollers away from andtoward the other to avoid the loss of elasticity inthe stretching and ireleasing operations; said rollers-being positionedin the frame so as to hold the; band..out..of. all contact. with the frame except the contact with'the rollers; and power means to drive'one of said roller-s.

4t. Amachinerl'or stretching an, elastic car-j cass band; in endless form for tire, building, comprising a stretching, frame having; two band engaging rollers forming the sole. means ct supporting. contact 1 for the, band duringits stretching operations, said rollers beingmounted in'thelframeiso asato, permit quick telescopic application;- and removal or the band; quick-acting power means .to move the rollers; for the stretching operation to avoid the, loss of elasticity, means to\ rotate one ot-the rollers during thest-retohing 011-, eration, all constructed and arrangedrf-for the abandwto be applied to the supporting, means, stretched solely; under rolling contact. and released for user-While stil'l in ,uniforin, shrinking condition;

5. Ina tire building apparatus, a pair of spaced rollers; adapted to support a bandnof tire building material, meanstoi separate the rollers to stretch the 1 band, autoii-ia-tic means to stop the'separationotthe-rollers attertthe band ll1S+lJG6l1 stretched a predetermined amount, and I means i to: isignalh the operator when such stretching-is completed.

FRANKLIN .ei NEAL. 

